Dear St. Nick…

 …I’m very sad that my sister won’t be getting the whole week off for Christmas but thank God for moving the heart of her employer enough to give her one extra day.  I will focus on being grateful for that, instead of being depressed that it seems I never get to see her but once or twice a year.

There is another employer’s heart I wish for our Good God to move, my husband’s.  He never received his spring bonus this year, the bonus he has come to rely on over the years, and now it’s looking as if he won’t get his Christmas bonus,  either.  This Christmas bonus will help us not have to choose between paying bills or giving our children a couple of Christmas gifts this year.  Regardless, I will remain grateful for the fact that we have a warm home, and food to eat.

It’s been raining for nearly a week.  The temps have been in the 40’s-60’s.  Unbelievable!  You’d think we were experiencing the Monsoon season if you didn’t know we were in OHIO!  My back yard is a swamp.  The children were hoping for a white Christmas but it’s not going to happen.  If it manages to get cold enough to freeze, maybe we’ll have a skating rink to play on!  🙂  We’ll probably get dumped with snow in January.  

I must have slept funny a couple of nights ago and smashed my C-PAP mask up against the left side of my nose where it stayed most of the night.  Since that night, the whole left side of my nose, inside, has felt bruised.  It literally feels as if I’d been punched in the nose.  The pain is so bad that even my front teeth and gums hurt.  Owie!

Looks like I might not be able to kneel at Midnight Mass, after all.  My knees have still not stopped hurting since last Sunday.  Hubby says he can see dark circles under my knee caps but I can’t see it even if I can feel it.  My shins, just a few inches above my ankles have bruised, too.  Probably from being pressed up against the kneeler when I was sitting in the pew.  It’s crazy.  I’m wondering if my diabetes has anything to do with it.  I know it sounds ridiculous to some people that I’d make such a big deal about kneeling but, for me, I can’t imagine not doing so when I see our Lord hanging upon the crucifix.  He suffered for me, I should be able to put up with a few aches and pains, so, I’ll try.  If I’m unable, then I’m unable, nothing I can do about it.

I’m happy for some friends of mine.  They were blessed by a charitable benefactor who gave them money and a gift certificate for Christmas.  Now the Momma can give her babies a few gifts and buy food for Christmas.  I wish more people would do this for those who are down on their luck – but not think about it only at Christmas time.  

Though I try my best not to, I can’t help but feel a little bitter towards Hubby’s boss.  The man is the same age as my husband and they grew up together.  He took over the business when his father decided to go into part-time retirement.  My husband has worked there since he was 12 years old.  Every year the boss-boy brags about how he goes snow mobiling and ice fishing and how he bought all kinds of cool boy-toys while my quiet husband sits there and listens to his drivel.  The guy hasn’t got a clue and sometimes I really just want to smack him across the head.  I don’t begrudge him the money he has or likes to spend but, as my husband’s employer, he should have enough mind to think of those who earned that money for him.  If it wasn’t for their hard work, he wouldn’t have anything to brag about every year.

If Hubby goes on disability next year, that will be one thing he won’t miss.  

Well, tomorrow is another day and hopefully, with the passing of the night, my somewhat sour mood will pass as well.  In spite of how "gloomy" this post sounds, I’m actually feeling pretty peaceful over it all.  All the children are in good health, the house has been warm and cozy, the kitties have all found a soft warm place to sleep and we’ve been able to eat two to three square meals a day.  So, who am I to complain?  Maybe I’m just too tired to feel any other way.

Or, maybe I just have much to be thankful for.  🙂